§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it remains his policy that health authorities be permitted to judge whether contract companies offer wage rates and conditions sufficient to attract adequate numbers of staff of the right calibre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyOur policy on the wage rates and conditions paid by private contractors and the factors health authorities have to take account of in assessing competitive tendering contracts remains unchanged. This was set out in our letter to regional health chairmen dated 9 October 1984, a copy of which was placed in the Library.